We later, albeit at separate times, joined the Metropolitan Police Service. Darren is from London and a patriotic Englishman. I am from Cardiff, Welsh born & bred, and equally patriotic. You wouldn’t want to be in our house when we’re watching an International rugby match!
Back in 1999 we left London to live in Wales. During September last year (‘07) we really took the plunge and moved to France. I was going to avoid the cliché of ‘starting a new life’ but there is no getting around it, we are.
With France being a virtual stone’s throw away from the UK, and a fellow member of the EU, tourists could be forgiven for thinking France isn’t too much different from Great Britain. But, believe me, it is. Totally different. And, we’re grateful for that fact because it makes for a very exciting and challenging start to 2008.
Our French is improving but we still have a very long way to go. Luckily, when met with foreigners making an effort to speak their language and ’fit in’ somehow, the French people are very friendly and helpful.
It's not only in the language department that we have our work cut out for us. We have taken on an old farmhouse for renovation/refurbishment and a lot of land. We're in for a couple of years of hard work. (In between off-roading and expeditions of course!) But, it will be worth it as we have a beautiful, quiet spot with fabulous views of the surrounding hills and countryside.
(You can visit us at www.valhallafarm.org)